Web cutter and folder



Aug. '18, 1970 R. B. THATCHER WEB comma AND FOLDER Filed Aug. 25. 1967 ROBERT a. 27m rcHER United States Patent 3,524,638 WEB CUTTER AND FOLDER Robert B. Thatcher, Fort Worth, Tex., assignor to The Chandler & Price Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Aug. 23, 1967, Ser. No. 662,811 Int. Cl. B65h 45/16 U.S. Cl. 270-72 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A web cutter and folder having a main drum with cutter and jaw cylinders running thereagainst, the jaw cylinder having both a folding jaw and optionally usable picker pins for producing, for example, either a quarter fold or tabloid fold.

This invention relates generally as indicated to a web cutter and folder and more particularly to certain improvements in a web cutter and folder of the type shown in applicants copending application, Ser. No. 524,575, filed Feb. 2, 1966, entitled Web Cutter and Folder, now abandoned.

In such prior copending application of applicant, there is disclosed an eflicient high speed folder unit for web printing presses, for example, which is of simplified construction. However, with the present invention, certain improvements are provided in the web cutter and folder whereby the unit can be converted quickly and simply to produce either of two types of folds.

It is accordingly a principal object of the present invention to provide a web cutter and folding mechanism for printing presses and the like which is of a very versatile nature producing more than one type of fold with minor adjustment.

Another principal object is the provision of a simplified web cutting and folding mechanism for a printing press wherein the unit can quickly be converted to produce either a quarter fold or a tabloid fold.

A further object is the provision of a web cutter and folder having cam operated picker pins in the jaw cylinder which may optionally be brought into play to produce a. dilferent type of fold.

Yet another object is the provision of a web cutting and folding mechanism having improvements in versatility over the type shown in applicants aforementioned copending application.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail a certain illustrative embodiment of the invention, this being indicative, however, of but one of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawing:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary end elevation of a cutting and folding mechanism in accordance with the present invention with parts removed for clarity of illustration; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the jaw cylinder.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the cutter and folder of the present invention comprises a main drum 1, a knife cylinder 2 and a jaw cylinder 3 with the knife and jaw cylinders running against the main drum 1. The jaw and knife cylinders as well as the main drum are mounted on spindles 4, 5 and 6, re-

ice

spectively, which are journalled at each end in laterally spaced side plates 7.

Also journalled between such side plates is a shaft 11 provided with a sprocket 12 driven by chain 13 from a drive motor and transmission in the base of the unit, not shown. The shaft 11 is provided with a pinion 14 in mesh with gear 15 on the main drum 1. The knife cylinder 2 is provided with gear 16 in mesh with the gear 15 and similarly the jaw cylinder 3 is provided with gear 17 also in mesh with the gear 15. The gears are such that the knife and jaw cylinders will revolve two complete revolutions for every single revolution of the main drum.

Also in mesh with the gear 15 is an idler 20 which is in mesh with gear 21 which is in turn in mesh with gear 22. Gear 21 is mounted on shaft 23 journalled between such side plates. Serrated rolls 24 are mounted on the shaft 23. Gear 22 is mounted on shaft 25 mounted on diamond shaped plates 26 pivoted at 27 to the side plates 7. Serrated rolls 28 are mounted on the shaft 25 running against the rolls 24 on shaft 23. The pressure of the rolls 28 against the rolls 24 is controlled by knobs 29 threaded on rods 30 which are connected at 31 to the upper end of each of the diamond shaped mounting plates 26 for the shaft 25. Such rods extend through brackets 32 mounted on the side plates 7. A compression spring 33 is provided between each knob and the respective bracket urging the rods 30 to the left as seen in FIG. 1 and thus the rolls 28 against the rolls 24. The rolls 28 and 24 are overspeed serrated rolls which serve to keep the paper or web P tight as it passes downwardly through feeding rolls 35 and 36. Such feeding rolls are mounted on the tops of the side plates 7 and the paper P coming from the printing press, which may be of the type shown, for example, in applicants copending application, Ser. No. 521,008, filed Jan. 17, 1966, entitled Web Press, is folded longitudinally to pass downwardly through the folding rolls 35 and 36, through the nip of the over-speed serrated rolls 24 and 28, and then about the underside of the main drum 1.

The main drum 1 includes diametrically opposed thin folding or tucker blades 37 and 38 which are removably mounted in recesses 39 and 40, respectively, by fasteners 41. The lateral position of such blades may very precisely be adjusted by laterally extending adjusting screws shown at 42.

Quadrant spaced from such tucker blades are elongated resilient blocks 43 and 44 of rubber or like material which are also diametrically opposed and removably secured in elongated boxes 45 and 46, respectively, by fasteners 47. Adjacent the boxes 45 and 46 are picker pin assemblies 49 and 50 each of which may be identical in form and accordingly only one will be described in detail. Such assemblies each include a rock shaft 51 extending longitudinally of the drum 1 on which are mounted a plurality of arms 52 provided with picker pins 53 which project peripherally outwardly at a substantial angle to a radius just to the rear of the respective resilient block. These pin in their extended position engage and may actually pierce the web to retain the same to the drum. Each rock shaft 51 also has secured thereto an arm 55 to the outer end of which is connected tension spring 56. Such springs urge the rock shaft 51 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 urging picker pins 53 to their extended position which is limited by engagement of the arms 52 with the rear of the boxes 45 and 46 as seen at 59.

The rock shafts 51 project from the end of the drum and are provided with arms having cam followers 61 thereon. Such cam followers engage a retraction cam 63 which is mounted on the side plate 7 nearest the viewer, which has been removed for clarity of illustration. Such retraction cam 63 projects from arm 64 of bracket 65 which surrounds the spindle 6 and includes a diametrically opposed arm 66. As the main drum 1 rotates, the followers 61 will engages the underside of the cam 63 pivoting the rock shafts 51 in a. counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 to retract the picker pins 53 from engagement with the web P. As the drum continues to rotate, the cam 63 will then permit the springs 66 again to extend the picker pins to engage the web as the drum comes around again. The end of the arm 66 of the bracket 65 for the retraction cam 63 is provided with an aperture 67 whereby the bracket may be secured in place. The bracket 65 is adjustable and may be moved substantially 90 to position the cam 63 either adjacent the jaw cylinder 3 or in a substantially vertical position. In such latter position, the arm 66 will move to the phantom line position 68 andthe'carn to the position 69 while the aperture 67 may be used to clamp the bracket in the proper position.

As seen in FIG. 1, the cutting cylinder 2 is slightly vertically offset from the main drum 1 and includes a longitudinally extending slot 70 in which is positioned the knife 72 held between cheek woods 73 and 74 which are resiliently urged outwardly by springs 75.

The jaw cylinder 3, as seen perhaps more clearly in FIG. 2, includes a folding jaw assembly 77 and a diametrically opposed picker pin assembly 78. The jaw assembly 77 includes a fixed jaw 79 and a movable jaw in the form of a resilient blade mounted on shaft 80. An arm 81 is secured to such shaft and a cam follower 82 is mounted on the end of the arm. The follower fits within a face cam, not shown, operative to close the jaw assembly on the web which has been tucked between the jaws by the folder blade 37.

In the assembly 78, the pins 84 are mounted in holder 85 which is in turn mounted in housing 86 for sliding movement radially of the cylinder 3. Fingers 87 are fitted in the holder 85 and secured to rock shaft 88. Arm 89 is secured to the rock shaft 88 and is provided with a cam follower 90 at one end and pin connection 91 for tension spring 92 at the opposite end. The opposite end of the spring 92 is secured to bracket 93. The spring 92 thus tends to rotate the rock shaft 88 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2 normally retracting the pins 84. The spring 92 in the retracted position of the pins 84 holds the arm 89 against a stop.

A plate cam 95 is pivoted at 96 to the side plate 7 and includes an arcuate cam surface 97. A clamping bolt 98 extending through arcuate slot 99 in the cam ma be employed to claimp firmly the cam to the plate in either its retracted or operational position. An adjusting screw 100 mounted on the cam 95 is employed accurately to position the cam in its lower or operational position with the adjusting screw resting upon projection 101 of stripper bar bracket 102.

The cam surface 97 extends for approximately 90 and in the lower or operational position of the cam 95, the surface 97 will engage the roller 99 pivoting the rock shaft 88 in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2 causing the pins 84 to project. In operation, the pins will project when passing the drum 1 and will be retracted by the spring 92 when the follower 90 leaves the cam surface 97 at approximately the top of the jaw cylinder 3.

OPERATION the main drum 1 upwardly between the jaw cylinder 3 and the main drum. As the picker pins reach the top of the main drum, the follower 61 will engage the underside of the cam 63 in its uppermost position 69 causing the picker pins to retract momentarily. At this time, the jaw mechanism 77 on the jaw cylinder 3 has moved to a position opposed to the folding blade 37 and the movable jaw of the assembly 77 has opened slightly permitting the blade to push the paper therein. Just prior to the driving of the web into the jaw mechanism by the folding blade 37, the cutting blade 72 has severed the trailing edge of the web using the block 44 as a die. The block 44 also cooperates with the cheek wood 73 holding loosely the the trailing end of the now severed web. The movable jaw of the assembly 77 now closes upon the web positioned between the jaws by the tucker plate 38 and continued rotation of the jaw cylinder 3 with the jaws now closed removes the web folded from the main drum 1. The jaws remain closed until the now folded sheet is lifted from the jaw cylinder by stripper arms. The web then passes onto a discharge conveyor. The above described cycle is repeated with the picker pins 53 movingback to their web engaging position as soon as the follower 61 leaves the cam 63 to pick up again the leading edge of the web to carry the same between the main drum, cutter, and jaw cylinders. I

Now, to produce a tabloid fold, the operator shifts the position of cam bracket 65 from the phantom line to the full line position so that the cam 6-3 adjacent to the jaw cylinder. The operator then removes the tucker blades 37 and 38 utilizing the large fasteners 41.'The operator now lowers cam plate 95 to position the cam surface 97 to be engaged by the follower 90. The cam in the proper position is then clamped by means of the clamping bolt 98. With the cam bracket 65 shifted and held in place by a suitable fastener through the aperture 67 in the arm 6-6 thus repositioning the cam 63 90 from its original position and with the cam plate dropped into place and secured, the cutter and folder will now produce a tabloid fold. In operation, the web or paper P passes between the folding rolls 35 and 36 to be longitudinally folded and then through the over-speed serrated rolls 24 and 28 to pass downwardly around the underside of the main drum 1. Picker pins 53 will engage the web immediately behind the severed edge and carry the leading edge on the main drum 1 upwardly between the jaw cylinder 3 and the main drum. At this point, because of the position of the cam 63, the pins 53 will now retract while at the same time pins 84 'will extend into the leading edge of the web and in effect transfer the web from the main drum 1 to the jaw cylinder 3. The pins 84- now carry the web up over the top of the jaw cylinder 3 and onto the discharge conveyor. As the follower 90 leaves the cam surface 97, the pins retract releasing the leading edge onto the discharge conveyor. At this point, the trailing edge of the web is severed and the next set of pins 53 has pierced the leading edge directly behind the now severed leading edge. The jaw assembly will continue to function as before, but because of the absence of the tucker blades 37 and 38, no transverse fold will occur in the web.

To convert back to a quarter fold, the reverse procedure is followed. Cam 95 is retracted so that the pins 84 then become inoperative, the tucker blades 37 and 38 are replaced, and the cam bracket 65 is shifted to the phantom line position so that the cam 63 is then'positioned at the top of the main drum 1 to cause the picker pins to release the leading edge of the web as the center of the web is then grasped by the folding'ja'ws of the jaw cylinder 3.

It can now be seen that there is provided a simplified highly versatile web cutter and folder which will produce, for example, either a quarter fold or a tabloid fold with a minimum amount of down-time and adjustment.

Other modes of applying the principles of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards-the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of such be employed.

I, therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A- web cutter and folder comprising a drum, a cutter and jaw cylinder running against said drum, means on said jaw cylinder operative optionally to remove the web from said drum by the leading edge thereof or by a transverse fold, said means including a folding jaw and Web transfer fingers peripherally spaced on said jaw cylinder, the operation of the latter being optional, and cam means operative to cause said transfer fingers to extend, said cam means being pivotally mounted externally of said jaw cylinder and being retractible to an inoperative position.

2. A web cutter and folder as set forth in claim 1 including spring means normally holding said transfer fingers in an inoperative position.

3. A Web cutter and folder as set forth in claim 2 including finger means on said drum operative to engage the leading edge of such web and carry the same past said cutter and jaw cylinder, and second cam means operative to retract said finger means on said drum as the web is engaged by the transfer fingers on said jaw cylinder or as the web is engaged by the folding jaws on said jaw cylinder.

4. A web cutter and folder comprising a drum, a cutter and a jaw cylinder running against said drum, first finger means on said drum operative to engage the leading edge of said web and carry the same past said cutter and jaw cylinder, first cam means operative to retract said first finger means, means operative rotatably to shift said first cam means approximately 90 about the center of said drum to control the point at which said first finger means is retracted, second finger means on said jaw cylinder operative to engage the leading edge of such web and carry it from said drum to a discharge conveyor, and second cam means operative to extend said second finger means as said first finger means are retracted.

5. A web cutter and folder as set forth in claim 4 including removable tucker blades on said drum adapted to cooperate with said jaw cylinder to fold transversely such Web.

6. A web cutter and folder as set forth in claim 4 including means operative to retract said second cam means to make inoperative said second finger means.

7. A web cutter and folder as set forth in claim 4 including spring means operative normally to hold said second finger means in inoperative position.

8. A web cutter and folder as set forth in claim 4 wherein said second cam means comprises a pivotally mounted plate, and means to clamp said plate in either an operative or inoperative position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 856,991 6/1907 Seymour 270-71 2,016,486 10/1935 Crafts 270- 2,941,798 6/1960 Harless 270-72 3,059,921 10/1962 Ayre 270-72 FOREIGN PATENTS 579,009 7/ 1946 Great Britain.

EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner P. V. WILLIAMS, Assistant Examiner 

